Crusaders v Waratahs
Christchurch, 7.35 tonight
Al Baxter's patience was tested through 100 games before he finally notched his first Super rugby try last weekend.
Now the Wallabies prop is anxious to amend another irritating career statistic when the New South Wales Waratahs' title credentials go on the line against the Crusaders in Christchurch tonight.
Baxter is one of only two current Waratahs to have won at the home of the seven-time champions - and in a timely boost for the competition leaders the other survivor from that 43-19 triumph in 2004 was cleared to travel.
Captain and openside flanker Phil Waugh is still doubtful with a quad strain but management is confident he will be able to join No8 Wycliff Palu in returning to action for a ninth-round match that could define the Super 14 campaigns of both teams.
Despite leading the standings, the Waratahs risk dropping out of the top four with a loss, given they have the bye next weekend, while the third-placed Crusaders are still to embark on a tough road trip to Pretoria and Cape Town.
Although the Waratahs have a dismal one-win, eight-loss record in Christchurch, Baxter insists the team will approach their task with confidence.
Reluctant to describe any Crusaders set-up containing Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter as an inferior product to their title-winning predecessors, the 69-test tighthead prop admitted the trip was not as daunting as previous years.
"They no longer have a number of attacking options all across the field, they only have three or four instead or five or six," said Baxter, who endured final defeats at Christchurch in 2004 and 2008.
An architect, Baxter offered a simple blueprint for the Waratahs to solidify their top-four status.
"We've been controlling the ball well, we've been holding on to it for long phases of play and we've been scoring tries," he said.
"That's exactly what we need to do in Christchurch. Even with the rain [against the Cheetahs last Saturday] we still held on to the ball for long periods of time."
Coach Chris Hickey, plotting to guide the Waratahs to six successive wins for the first time since Super rugby began in 1996, agreed possession was paramount against the Crusaders.
"Maintaining possession is a key, if you turn over possession they will punish you," he said.
Encouragingly for the Waratahs, they are showing signs of emulatinga Crusaders hallmark of old this season - the ability to close out matches poised on a knife edge.
The Waratahs opened their season with a miraculous escape in Brisbane, fighting back in the final quarter to pip the Reds 30-28.
The Sharks were also shaded 25-21 and the Western Force 14-10 before a late intercept try was instrumental in squeezing past the Blues 39-32 in round seven.
Reminded of those scenarios Hickey acknowledged: "I think we've got good game management in tight situations." Meanwhile, Baxter hoped another Waratahs win would finally alter the perception of a team booed by their own fans last month for playing conservatively.
"We've got the most tries in the competition, we've got the most run metres and the second least number of kicks," he said.
"The perception just isn't there that we're doing well."
CRUSADERS v WARATAHS
Crusaders
Colin Slade
Sean Maitland
Robbie Fruean
Ryan Crotty
Zac Guildford
Daniel Carter
Kahn Fotuali'i
Kieran Read
George Whitelock
Richie McCaw (c)
Brad Thorn
Chris Jack
Owen Franks
Ti'i Paulo
Wyatt Crockett
Waratahs
Kurtley Beale
Lachie Turner
Rob Horne
Berrick Barnes
Drew Mitchell
Daniel Halangahu
Luke Burgess
Wycliff Palu
Waugh / Alcock
Ben Mowen
Kane Douglas
Dean Mumm
Al Baxter
Tatafu Polota-Nau
Benn Robinson
Crusaders reserves: Daniel Perrin, Ben Franks, Sam Whitelock, Thomas Waldrom, Willi Heinz, Adam Whitelock, Jared Payne.
Waratahs reserves: Damien Fitzpatyrick, Sekope Kepu, Will Caldwell, Dave Dennis, Josh Holmes, Tom Carter, Sosene Anesi.
- NZPA
